The missing link in Asean’s AI economy: trusted cross-border data flows

ARTIFICIAL intelligence could add nearly US$1 trillion to Asean’s economy by 2030, equivalent to between 10 and 18 per cent of the region’s gross domestic product. But unlocking that growth hinges on one thing: data.

“Data is the lifeblood of AI,” said Singapore’s Minister for Digital Development and Information Josephine Teo at the Asia Economic Summit in Indonesia on Jun 17. As Asean seeks to capture AI-powered growth, common rules and frameworks are key to enabling data to flow seamlessly and securely across borders.

Yet, countries in the region differ in their approaches to data governance. Some place greater emphasis on national security and more arduous data controls, while others favour more open data flows with safeguards.